All posts for the month January, 2019

This morning’s sunrise was excellent. It was not nearly as dramatic as Monday’s lemurian sunrise but it was still spectacular nonetheless. I was up early once again and was watching the clouds in the darkness. When it seemed like there was going to be some good clouds above the mountain. Moreover, the humidity felt low so the chance of some good color was high. I headed over to Lake Siskiyou and found the water quite still. It appeared all the pieces were in place for a fantastic sunrise. I hiked down to the lake, set up my camera, and enjoyed the stillness as the sun came up. It was gorgeous.

It was in my mind to capture progressive images of the sunrise in order to produce another animation. I wish I had taken a few more images as the color intensified but despite that, I think it turned out quite well. The encroaching color coming from the east (right side) all the way across the sky is easy to observe and made more dramatic by means of the reflection. I also liked the way the clouds and the ripples of the water are moving in the same direction, mirroring each other.

It may be this is one of the last sunrises to observe for a while. The forecast is filled with rain and snow. Whichever comes, we need it, so thank the Lord it is coming. Tomorrow should be nice though, so get out while you can!

This morning was one of the most majestic sunrises I have seen in Mount Shasta. It had everything one could hope for in an event of this nature. There was an unusual lenticular cloud, vivid color and a nice reflection bringing light to an otherwise dark landscape. It was glorious. However, as if it was not enough, I observed a most unusual shadow cast by Mount Shasta. The sum of the entire spectacle was a most edifying, praiseworthy scene.

Watching the weather forecast, I had a good sense that something would manifest over the mountain. I planned on getting up and assessing the situation early. Depending on what I saw, I would decide where to go to watch the sunrise. Out the door in the dark, there was just enough light on the horizon to make the clouds discernible. I could see a wave-like formation above Mount Shasta. With a sense of excitement, I headed off to the Shasta Valley.

It looked like north was the way to go, since the cloud seemed to be just south of the mountain. I wasn’t sure where in the valley to go, however. I decided to head to my reflection pool and see if it was windy before proceeding to another spot if necessary. When I arrived at the pool, the cloud had grown and was more obvious as light crept slowly over the horizon. The pool proved to be an ideal perspective on the cloud. However, while there was no wind, the water was completely frozen. There was no reflection on the opaque ice. As the sky lightened, I tossed large rocks to break up the icy crust. The water stilled just as color began to explode upon the clouds. First pinks and purples and then, as the sun neared the horizon, oranges and golds. The whole show reflected in the ice-choked water, lighting up the dark landscape. It was magnificent.

As the sunrise’s color began to fade, I looked over my shoulder to the west. The sky was filled with clouds that were lit up pink but, to my surprise, there was an odd dark pyramid imposed upon them, just above Bonnet Rock. I suddenly realized that it was Mount Shasta’s shadow, cast far across the Shasta Valley. This was something new to me. I have seen the mountain’s shadow at sunrise from on the mountain and I have seen Mount Shasta part the light of the rising sun, casting a shadow above the peak itself. I have not seen the mountain’s shadow projected against clouds on the opposite horizon many, many miles away. It was a strange and distinctly memorable sight. Unfortunately, as the sun peeked above the horizon in the east, the shadow began to quickly diminish. When the sun was up, the shadow was gone. It all happened very fast.

I headed home, but on the way, I was compelled to stop and capture one last image of the lenticular above Mount Shasta. From the west, the cloud had a much different appearance. Most notable was a thin, delicate line that marked the rim of a disk hovering below the main formation. It was a fascinating and fitting end to an awesome sunrise.

Mount Shasta and the lenticular wave from the west.

Regarding the title of this post, I wanted to mention the excellent Electromagnetic Soul Vehicle. Dave Theno’s inner-galactic rock opera was performed at College of the Siskiyous this weekend and, in my assessment, was a great success. The music and choreography were awesome and the vibe at the show was a lot of fun. In many ways, it was the most “Mt. Shasta” thing I have experienced! I hope that it has a long future and that it becomes an annual event. After seeing the first performance on Friday night, I have had a few of the songs stuck in my head all weekend, especially Rosalia and Lemurian Sunrise. The latter, the opera’s grand finale, kept running through my head as the sun came up this morning. It was a great “Mt. Shasta” moment at sunrise at Mount Shasta.

I sure hope y’all don’t get sick of these kinds of posts. I don’t get sick of writing about them and and I most certainly don’t tire of witnessing these kinds of events. This evening’s spectacle was, in some ways, much like all the others. There were clouds, there was color and there was Mount Shasta. However, as is so often the case, the creative genius shines through and all the typical building blocks were once again arranged to make the evening show unique, beautiful and edifying.

Today, I had been watching the clouds all day and there was some form of lenticular over Mount Shasta for much of the day. It was most often the kind that shrouds most of the mountain in a white dome, leaving the stark volcanic geography obscured. While these are often interesting to see they are usually not interesting to photograph. I knew there was chance of a good sunset when another disk formed to the southwest of the mountain. By late afternoon much of the shroud had cleared and Mount Shasta was largely visible. I loaded my 3 kids up and headed north of the mountain. One of the tricks for capturing the lenticulars is knowing where to photograph the mountain so the clouds are as close to the mountain as possible. It is easier to get them in the frame. With one to the southwest, north was the natural direction to go. The fact that my reflecting pool is now in good shape made this option all the more attractive.

Once there, the clouds around the mountain began to clear and the single disk began to expand. It grew into a really nice stack for a while. Frustratingly, right as the alpenglow was getting really good, the stack collapsed and dissipated, leaving only a single remnant disk. The area around that cloud was clear though, and it had sort of an “eye” appearance, which, complemented by all the other color in the sky, still made a beautiful and interesting sight. It was a fantastic show, watching as the frozen heights of Mount Shasta went from yellows to orange to red and then pink. What an awesome mountain!

While all of this was going on on Mount Shasta, other clouds were putting on a show as well. A little lenticular had formed on Mount Eddy earlier in the afternoon. By sunset it had increased its bulk. The real highlight of this particular scene, however, was the color behind Mount Eddy. They were exploding with color. The lower clouds were dark but, offset by the bright color behind them, were still strangely attractive. This entire region of the sky was a very nice compliment to what was going on around Mount Shasta.

The entire spectacle was gorgeous. It is amazing how even an average evening around Mount Shasta can be so beautiful. This really is a special place!

After a week of solid precipitation, the clouds finally parted and Mount Shasta was, at seemingly long last, revealed to its admirers once again. It seemed like much longer than it it really had been since I had seen the mountain. It was a bluebird day up on the massive cone. The sun was bright and the great volcano was showing off a shiny new mantle of snow and ice. Even the numerous crags were thickly coated with snow and rime ice, making it so that no other color appeared on the mountain but white and shadow. I especially love it when Mount Shasta is covered this way. It is a frigid but spectacular spectacle. This is particularly the case around the towers and spires that protrude from the mountain’s flanks. They cast shadows on the snowy expanse.

It was a pleasure to behold, both midday and also again as the sun began to set. With all the rain that fell, my favorite pool in the Shasta Valley finally returned after two year absence. I can finally get a few reflection shots from the north. Tonight’s sunset was especially spectacular by Mount Shasta standards but it was magnificent nonetheless. With all a sunny outlook for the weather, the next week promises a great opportunity to hit the area’s trails and enjoy several tremendous sunrises and sunsets!

Mount Shasta from the west. This was the unlikely perspective of the first known depiction of the mountain.

In my last post on Castle Dome, I included an image of the first known representation of the Castle Crags. This sketch of Castle Dome and the Crags was one of the many contributions of the little known and largely forgotten United States Exploring Expedition. This expedition was easily the largest scientific effort made by the United States prior to the Civil War. The scope and achievement of this group of soldiers, sailors and scientists is astounding and it is remarkable that this grand adventure has lapsed into obscurity. The scientific discoveries and its effect on the antebellum geopolitical situation in North America were extremely influential. While there is much to recount about the expedition, the reason it is relevant to Hike Mt Shasta is its connection to Mount Shasta. It was on this journey that the first known depiction of Mount Shasta was made, introducing the mountain into the American psyche and establishing its reputation as one of the grandest mountains in the west.

The USEE flagship USS Vincennes in Antarctica.

Although the entirety of the United States Exploring Expedition’s is worth recounting, that is not the purpose of this post. However, some brief details are important for context. The USEE consisted of 7 ships. They were staffed by military personnel but were accompanied by a scientific corp of 9 individuals, each with a particular specialty. This group set out from Virginia in 1838 and proceeded to cross the Atlantic before recrossing back to the southwest and an traveling around South America. Once in the Pacific, they continued up the west coast of South America to Peru and then turned west. The ships crossed the Pacific and traveled south to Antarctica before arriving at Australia. From there they explored several islands of Micronesia before reaching Hawaii.

It is at this point that the USEE’s journey becomes relevant to Hike Mt Shasta. From Hawaii, the expedition continued to Washington, where they explored Puget Sound. They then traveled to the Columbia River. Here the group split up. The ships proceeded to San Francisco Bay while an overland party headed south through the Willamette Valley. This group, which included artist Alfred Agate and geologist James Dana eventually reached Mount Shasta. From there they followed the Sacramento River down to Sutter’s Fort and hence to San Francisco Bay, where they rejoined the main part of the expedition. Having completed this survey, the USEE headed west across the Pacific again en route to the Philippines. From there, they passed through the South China Sea, across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and ending their journey in New York.

The remarkable route of the United States Exploring Expedition.

Obviously the relevant part of this story is the overland expedition’s encounter with Mount Shasta and the Castle Crags. This was the first sighting of both landmarks by a scientific body. It is fitting then, that the first images of both the Crags and Mount Shasta are a result of the groups passage beneath these mountains. It was in the journal of geologist James Dana that we see the Crags depicted and it is the work of artist Alfred Agate that yielded the first image of Mount Shasta. Though these were sketches of the these two excellent features and not photographs, it was an important first step in recording their existence and making peoples in the eastern United States aware of them.

As is often the case with older drawings and paintings, the peaks are interpreted by the artist and our modern eyes may not always see them the way the original artists perceive them. However, I have a knack for recognizing geographic features and I reckon this might be a good place to put that to use. Having already included the image of Castle Dome in a previous post, that seems like a good place to start.

The Castle Crags as drawn by James Dana, 1841.

In some ways, recognizing Castle Dome and the Castle Crags in the image is easy. The particular giveaway is the shape of Castle Dome. The peak appears quite differently depending on which angle one views it. However, it is obvious that Dana was looking at the dome and the rest of the peak from somewhere near Root Creek. It seems likely to me that it was near that creek’s confluence with the Sacramento River. The shape of the peak from that perspective in unmistakable.

Though somewhat exaggerated, the contours of the peak are readily identified. The pointed summit, the bulge on the right side and the crags on the left side all match the sketch by Dana.

The rest of the spires of the Castle Crags also match those drawn by Dana. Especially apparent is the tower of Mt. Hubris (aka the Ogre) on the left. Even Six-Toe Rock, the lower peaks on the far left, are represented in the sketch. However, it should be noted that the peaks to the right of Castle Dome are not in proportion to the rest of the peaks in the sketch. Despite this, the drawing by James Dana is a fascinating piece of the region’s history.

The Castle Crags aren’t the only fantastic geologic feature noticed by the USEE. Mount Shasta obviously drew their attention and it was inevitable that one of them would have drawn the awesome peak. Unfortunately, at first glance, the representation of Mount Shasta seems to leave something to be desired. It does not seem to be the most impressive depiction of this most singular and majestic mountain.

The first drawing of Mount Shasta by Alfred Agate, 1841.

The drawing, which has shockingly detailed foreground, depicts a mountain that appears tall but somewhat unimpressive. This is compounded by the drawings again, which has caused the peak to fade somewhat. Moreover, the perspective on the mountain does not, at first blush, appear to look like Mount Shasta. These attributes tend to leave the image, as a whole, a bit underwhelming. Thankfully, the image was recreated as an engraving with the help of Agate. The engraving, which identified the mountain as “Shasty Peak”, made the features of the original drawing more discernible.

With the mountain darkened and more obvious, it is possible to identify landmarks. There are 4 peak-areas in the sketch and without a sense of depth and scale which the sketch seems to lack, they all seem to be roughly the same elevation. Once aligned with an image from a similar perspective, things become clearer though. The two peaks on the left are the rugged outcroppings and spires of Shastina. The V-shaped canyon between them is large Diller Canyon. The two peaks on the right are the summit of Mount Shasta and the formation known as the Misery Cone. There is some staggered proportions amongst these peaks and, though it is not readily apparent in the engraving, it fairly straight forward which part of Mount Shasta is which.

This perspective on Mount Shasta is viewed from just north of Black Butte, near south Weed. Though I like to photograph Mount Shasta from there, it is generally not one of the more common views of the mountain. However, it is the first perspective of Mount Shasta to be documented and because of that, it has some historical value, however minor. Interestingly enough, there is some city land in that area that holds this view. It would be neat if a vista point with some interpretive displays and some picnic tables could be installed recognizing the historical value of this perspective on Mount Shasta.

The next time you are driving along I-5 and passing the south Weed exit, be sure to look up at Mount Shasta and remember that this was the area where the United Stated Exploring Expedition stopped in 1841 and observed the mountain. It is beautiful from every perspective but historical value of this vantage makes it noteworthy!

The awesome east face of Castle Dome catches the light of the rising sun.

After Mount Shasta, the Castle Crags are the most stunning feature in this part of California. The rugged collection of towering granite spires and domes is an awe-inspiring edifice looming majestically above the Sacramento River. Travelers coming up the Sacramento River Canyon on I-5 are treated to magnificent views of the Crags, seeing them close-up well before getting more than a peek at Mount Shasta. It is a grand introduction to the area and one that would be a premier attraction on its own, if a massive 14,000 foot volcano didn’t lie just to the north.

Though there are higher and more rugged peaks and spires withing the Castle Crags, only Castle Dome has earned itself and official name. It alone, of all the Castle Crags has the privilege of a distinct and universally agreed upon identity. Many other towers, walls and points withing the Crags have unofficial monikers, often bequeathed by climbers who scale the granite cliffs. These, however, are not widely known and not always widely accepted. Castle Dome, on the other hand, has long held its name and it is one that is known casually by locals, even by the non-climber and non-hiker. The reason for Castle Dome’s singular recognition is self-evident: it is spectacular tower that, though relatively short compared to the rest of the Crags, stands apart from the rest of the formation, has a distinct appearance and boasts an incredible wall on its east side. This is perhaps best enjoyed from the ought-to-be-iconic view at the base of Root Creek Falls, where the awesome waterfall plunges over a series of tiers while Castle Dome looms majestically overhead.

Castle Dome caught the attention of the first scientific expedition that passed through the Mount Shasta area in 1841. This sketch was drawn in 1841 by James Dana, the United State Exploring Expedition’s geologist. Castle Dome is the pyramidal peak above the tree in the center. It is a similar view to that to be had in the Root Creek Drainage.

Castle Dome, and the rest of the Castle Crags, are a large granite pluton that has been extruded from within the earth amidst a sea of rocks composed of marine sediment. Consequently, Castle Dome’s appearance stands in sharp contrast to the other peaks of the Trinity Divide, the large mountain range that rises west of Mount Shasta. The appearance and composition of these peaks is very similar to the highest parts of the nearby Trinity Alps as well as to much of the Sierra Nevada. Indeed, it is to these famed mountains that the Castle Crags draw their most favorable comparisons. The northern part of the Sierra and the Klamath Mountains, of which the Castle Crags are a part, or nearly identical geologically. Whether a climber, hiker or general lover of mountains, the similarities between the Crags and the Sierra Nevada is almost unavoidable. This is certainly the case with Castle Dome. The Sierra is known for its domes (among many other excellent attributes) and Castle Dome would fit right into that notable company. Its contours are reminiscent of famed Sierra domes like Fin Dome or the giant Tehipite Dome. Though not as large, Castle Dome’s lines are equally pleasing.

In this section of the Geologic Map Of California, the similarities between the Klamath Mountains (upper left) and the Northern Sierra Nevada (lower right) are easy to spot. The blue areas with the large pink regions are seen in both ranges. The blue is marine sediment while the pink areas are granite plutons.

It is worth noting that, other than Mount Shasta and its subordinate peaks like Shastina and Red Butte, Castle Dome is the only officially named peak in the area that is located in a wilderness area. It is often thought of as being inside Castle Crags State Park. This misconception is easy to understand since all the approached to the Dome pass through the state park. In truth, Castle Dome and the vast preponderance of the Castle Crags are a part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Consequently, the Crags and many nearby peaks and lakes were made a part of the 12,232 acre Castle Crags Wilderness. This wilderness consists of 2.5 alpine lakes basins and the incredible jumble of granite towers that is the Castle Crags. Its elevation extends from 2,600 feet along Root Creek to 7,200 feet at the summit of Harry Watkins/Soapstone Peak.

Due in part to the peak’s lower elevation and its separation from the rest of the towers of the Castle Crags, Castle Dome is easily the most frequented tower in the Crags. The Castle Dome Trail is the only maintained trail that accesses the granite high country of the Castle Crags. A large open bench separates the dome from the rest of the Crags. This trail offers hikers access to the base of Castle Dome as well as rock climbing areas on the spires that lie immediately to the west, on the far side of the bench. The iconic view of Mount Shasta from the trail up to Castle Dome is one of the most memorable images of the region. Hikers aren’t alone in appreciation of this area. Castle Dome has an almost legendary status with rock climbers, offering a variety of climbing routes that include the classic 8 pitch Dike Route. For more information on the climbs around Castle Dome, check out Grover Shipman’s excellent Mt. Shasta Area Rock Climbing.

Castle Dome deserves a larger reputation that it currently does. This is in large measure a product of the fact that the dome is a small part of a greater, spectacular whole. The Castle Crags as a single entity will always be greater than any one of its domes or spires. Nonetheless, Castle Dome stands apart, both physically but also in many other ways. It alone of all the peaks in the Castle Crags can be appreciated by hikers as well as climbers. It can be viewed from many trails, both around the Crags but also from other peaks, especially Mount Shasta. Its beauty, accessibility and spectacular features make it one of the most noteworthy peaks in the Mount Shasta area.

A Castle Dome Gallery (click to enlarge):

Dawn on Castle Dome.

Castle Dome and Root Creek Falls

Winter at the Castle Crags.

The Castle Crags alight at sunrise.

The Castle Crags are an isolated granite pluton. Castle Dome is on the center right.

Dawn view of the Castle Crags and Castle Dome loom above Castella.

Castle Dome’s awesome east face if a classic climbing route.

Vista Trail view of Castle Dome.

Classic view of Mount Shasta and Castle Dome.

Castle Dome looming large.

The back side of Castle Dome.

Granite slopes at the foot of Castle Dome.

The confluence of the Sacramento and Castle Creek. Castle Dome on the far right.

Summer at the confluence. Castle Dome on the far right.

The confluence of the Sacramento and Castle Creek. Castle Dome on the far right.

Winter at the confluence. Castle Dome on the far right.

Castle Dome and the Castle Crags from the Sacramento River

The back side of Castle Dome (far right) is visible from the summit of the Grey Rocks.

Castle Dome and the Castle Crags seen from Panther Meadow.

Hummingbird Saddle view of the Sacramento River Canyon, Castle Dome and the Castle Crags.

Sunset view of Castle Dome and the Castle Crags.

Beyond Castle Dome and the Castle Crags, smoke billows up from the Delta Fire.

The winter season of 2018-2019 has been with us for a few months now. The cold has been consistent but the precipitation has been more erratic. That being the case, we have still gotten one large shot of snow, though this all melted off rapidly due to the warm rain that came immediately after. However, the amount of snow in the high country is copious right now so winter sports are in full swing in the mountain. This also means, of course, that the trails in the high country are snowed in. Thankfully, hikers looking to hit the trail still have numerous options for getting outside. The low country around Mount Shasta is filled with trails that offer spectacular views, interesting terrain and beautiful scenery. We are fortunate to have the unique positioning we have here in Mount Shasta, where many winter hiking opportunities abound. Many other mountain communities are not so lucky.

Scene along the Lake Siskiyou Trail.

This good fortune is, in large measure, a reflection of Mount Shasta’s geology. The volcano rises out of low valley that lies between the high mountain areas of the Cascade Range and Klamath Mountains. The valley floor itself is low enough that it often escapes the snow that falls at higher elevations. The rivers then rush south, falling lower in elevation still and avoid even more snow. Yet, too the north lies the rain shadow of Mount Shasta. Rather than great conifer forests, the area is desert, thanks to the mountain wringing moistures from the storms that move through. Here, the snow falls infrequently and the trails that explore this area offer hikers great views, lots of sunshine and a strikingly different kind of environment from the alpine areas immediately to the south.

Whatever you are looking for in a winter trail, it is hard to find a more diverse and spectacular setting than those around Mount Shasta!

The following are all articles that discuss off-season hiking opportunities in Mount Shasta. They can also be accessed from the “trails” drop down menu. Click to enlarge all images.

Three Winter Trails Near Mount Shasta City

Mount Shasta City is blessed with a number of great paths within and just outside of its city limits. Three of the best are the Box Canyon, Ney Springs and Spring Hill Trail. These offer solitude, Mount Shasta Vistas, unique history, spectacular geography and even some excellent waterfalls. These all lie just minutes outside of town. Also, don’t forget that Mount Shasta City has some great short trails right in town! Read more here.

Box Canyon of the Sacramento River.

Inside the Box Canyon of the Sacramento

Faery Falls

Rocky Point on the Spring Hill Trail.

Winter Hikes On The Lake Siskiyou Trail

The Lake Siskiyou Trail is an incredible recreational resource just a couple minutes outside of Mount Shasta City. During the summer and fall, a loop trail encircles the lake. However, in winter the seasonal bridges over the Sacramento River are removed. While the loop can’t be hiked without fording the river (extremely dangerous after storms and during high runoff), several sections of the trail still make great out and back hikes. They feature beautiful forests, the lake itself and incredible views. Read more here.

Mount Eddy at the Sacramento River inlet.

Hiking along South Shore

Views from North Shore.

Winter Hikes On The Sacramento River

Most people in California think of the Sacramento River as the wide, winding waterway that lazily flows through the Central Valley. Here just below the headwaters, however, it is a swiftly flowing mountain river. Deep in its canyon, the lower elevation means it is often free of snow and the trails are easily accessed. Hiking along the river in winter is a treat that offers a taste of wild mountains for minimal effort. Read more here.

Hedge Creek Falls

Behind Hedge Creek Falls

Rapids Along the River Trail.

Along the Sacramento River Trail.

Winter Hikes In The Shasta Valley

North of Mount Shasta, the desert landscapes of the Shasta Valley offer a strikingly different environment than what is found along most trails in the region. The only conifers here are junipers and sagebrush is ubiquitous. For those that like the desert, the beauty of this area needs no explanation. For those less familiar, there is ample wildlife, beautiful rock formations and magnificent 360 degree views, crowned by some of the best views of Mount Shasta to be found anywhere. Unfortunately, part of the Yellow Butte Trail has been fenced off. There is still a lot of interesting terrain to explore on the Butte but be aware of land boundaries. Read more here.

Mount Shasta from the Haystack.

Herd Peak, Sheep Rock and Yellow Butte

Pluto Cave

Mount Shasta rises above Pluto Cave

Winter Hikes In The Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge

At the northern end of the Shasta Valley lies a large parkland administered by the State of California. The Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge was once a working ranch but is now a haven for a variety of wildlife, especially birds. It is also a refuge for hikers looking for incredible vistas. Though it can be closed at times during winter, there are still opportunities to explore it and once it is reopened completely, it is a place of great beauty, beckoning to be explored! Read more here.

Mount Shasta reflects in a pool by Steamboat Mountain.

Looking north toward the Siskiyous

The Cascade Crest seen from Trout Lake

Mount Shasta looms far beyond Trout Lake

Other parts of the Mount Shasta area are best hiked in spring, but often, during drier winters with less snow, some of these areas are also easily accessed during winter and offer stunning hikes for those looking for longer and more rugged outings. It must be noted that these areas have a higher chance of being inaccessible during snowy winters.

Spring Hikes In The Castle Crags

The Castle Crags are one of the most majestic mountain features in California. However, their lower elevation means they are often accessible when higher terrain is still smothered in snow. Still, the granite spires and great rock walls stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most rugged terrain in the state. Though best hiked in spring, when the creeks are gushing and the weather, especially on the south side where most trails are found, is perfect, the winter may still be a good time to get out and enjoy this gorgeous mountain playground. Read more here.

Castle Dome and Root Creek Falls

Spires of the Crags

Mount Shasta seen from the Castle Crags

Burstarse Falls

Spring Hikes On The Upper McCloud River

The McCloud River is one of the great attractions of the Mount Shasta area. With great fishing, a trio a awesome waterfalls, and beautiful forest surroundings, it is a popular destination. The waterfall along the river is a great hike and ought to be considered during winter if the access road is open. However, the McCloud River Trail follows the river for 15 miles and any section of this makes a great hike as long as snow is not covering the ground. Read more here.

Basalt gorge on the McCloud River

The McCloud River downstream from Cattle Camp.

McCloud River from the top of Middle Falls

Middle McCloud Falls

Spring Hikes On The Lower McCloud

The Lower McCloud River sees far less activity than the upper section. Separted by Hearst property and the McCloud Reservoir, the two areas are strikingly different. The upper section flows through volcanic terrain while the lower part passes through an outlier of the Klamath Mountain. The terrain is very rugged and can be difficult access during winter. However, when it can be reached, solitude a beautiful scenery await! Read more here.

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